Why Reading Out Loud Is Good for You
Over the weekend, a series of New York Times articles about the pleasures of reading aloud sent me thinking backwards and forward again. Backwards to my earliest memories of listening to my Mom or Dad read Horton Hatches the Egg or some other wonderful classic to me.
Those lovely moments are imbedded deep in my bones. I’m certain my love of reading was born in those happy times.
The article stated that reading aloud benefits both the reader and the one being read to. Whether you read to a child, or a sick person in need of a distraction, it is an act of kindness—love, really—that provides a rare, intimate connection as you experience a story together.
Which brings me to another memory.
A few years back, my husband spied a 135-chapter, 615-page edition of Moby Dick lurking on our bookshelf. I’d slogged through the book in high school English class.
If ever a book begged for an abridged version (I thought back then), Melville’s was a good candidate.
So I was amazed when my spouse took the book to bed with him. I figured he’d be snoozing by Page Two. But, no.
“This is amazing,” he exclaimed. “The writing is great. I feel like I’m there! Can I just read this part to you?”
Thus began a new nighttime ritual. And through his enthusiasm, the story, the characters, and the descriptions in a book that I’d found tedious and old-fashioned in my teens came alive for me, too.
I loved falling asleep to the sound of his voice as he read Melville’s words.
It turns out that grown ups enjoy hearing stories spoken out loud. An entire audiobook industry seem to be alive and well these days, and apparently some people actually enjoy falling asleep while listening to them.
The NYT piece also reminded me of my left-over to-do list from years past for my Samantha Newman Mystery Series. Only Book 2, The Body Next Door, is currently available in audio, which you can buy or sample for free on Amazon.
The first and third books do not have audio versions. This is due to: 1) a change of publishers, and 2) a voice artist who is no longer available, which means that Samantha’s “voice” would change for each book.
Producing audio books is a time-consuming, expensive effort, and I have another book or two to write. And before you suggest an AI generated voice solution, I’ve heard a few samples, and they sound a little creepy to me. I’m still wrestling with the issue.
(Readers and and authors, I’d love to know what you think I should do about audio for the other two books. Please comment below.)
I’m a wholehearted fan of reading aloud, even if you’re only reading to yourself. Extra points if you do, because reading aloud burns more calories and tones up your lungs and voice muscles.
Like most things in life, reading a book can be even more fun when you share it with someone you love.
Gay Yellen is the award-winning author of the Samantha Newman Romantic Mystery Series, including The Body Business, The Body Next Door, and The Body in the News. She loves talking to book clubs and from readers! You can contact her here. 
Gay, how fascinating. Makes me wonder if Moby Dick is available on Audio. Our attention spans are seriously diluted these days. Audio books, especially when I’m traveling, solve two problems. Takes the tedium from the drive and puts me in a great story.
Moby Dick on audio would last for miles and miles, Donnell!
In revision stage, authors are encouraged to read their manuscripts aloud, as well. Brain research tells us that auditory cues provide slightly different messages, and readalouds help us with flow, syntax, and tone. Also, reading aloud is slower, so we are less likely to skip over mistakes. Great topic, Gay.
Thanks, Saralyn. I, too read my drafts aloud as part of the editing process. I think it’s especially important for an audio version.
Oh, dear, you’ve brought back a really bad Moby Dick memory for me, Gay. I had a drawing professor in college who was enamored with Moby Dick. For ten hours a week we had to draw nude models while listening to him drone on as he read chapter after chapter. The models cringed as much as us students. Worse yet, he’d sometimes dismiss the models and just make us sit listening to him read. No drawing at all! I had visions of my tuition dollars floating on the ocean alongside that darn whale!
As for your audiobook dilemma, go with a new narrator who is willing to commit to your entire series and do a split royalty through Audible. There’s no upfront cost to you. Your audiobooks will appear on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, the 3 places most people get their audiobooks. The one downside is that they won’t get into libraries because libraries refuse to buy from any Amazon company.
Oh no, Lois! Apologies for having reanimated that painful memory, though I can definitely relate. I’m also thinking about redoing all three books in an “as read by the author” format, though it’s still expensive and time consuming.
I love the idea of reading with a loved one. A few years ago, someone I was working with, a newlywed, told me he and his wife took turns picking books and reading to each other before bed….they felt it gave them an extra connection. My only thoughts were how sweet that was and I wondered what would happen when they had their first child.
I’m thinking the genre would morph. Here’s hoping they enjoy reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar a million times.
Gay, I loved your post. We select books and Bob reads out loud from one every night. He will read about 3 chapters of whatever book we’ve selected until we finish. That’s how Bob has also read your books—because I’ve selected yours for him to read aloud.
It’s a lovely bedtime ritual, for sure, Katherine. So nice to think that my books were in the mix. Thanks!
Great post, Gay! Our critique group reads our pages aloud and I always find problems as I read. As Saralyn said, in flow, syntax, and tone. Most of my other reading aloud is with my seven-year-old granddaughter. We take turns and I think it’s probably good for us both. 🙂
Absolutely, Mary Lee. She’ll always remember.